He played the famous riff on “Drift Away” and the beautiful guitar part on Travis Tritt’s “Anymore.” Soon after, Young moved to Nashville and has been here since, playing on a list of who’s who in the pop and country world. The Memphis Boys helped turn out hit after hit from 1967 to ’72, including Elvis’ comeback hits “Suspicious Minds,” “In the Ghetto,” and “Kentucky Rain.” That band opened for many prominent acts of the day, including an outfit called The Beatles! Sessions in Muscle Shoals, Fame Studios and Royal Studio in Memphis kept him busy at the time, and after traveling to New York to work for Atlantic Records, Young helped form the Memphis Boys, which served as the house band at American Studios. Every Saturday they’d play “The Louisiana Hayride.” Then Bill Black formed his combo, and asked Reggie to come aboard. He played with Johnny Horton throughout 1958. He was paid union scale – $41.25 – he keeps the stub in his scrapbook. The song charted and became a hit, so the band hit the road with the likes of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Horton. Mercury Records heard the song and signed Bond to a deal. A local disc jockey named Sleepy Eyed John heard them play and asked them to record the song “Rockin’ Daddy” at WHHM studio. He joined Eddie Bond and the Stompers in 1955. Young would listen and try to figure out guitar licks. Growing up, Young was heavily influenced by the WSM radio show out of Nashville called “Two Guitars.” It featured Chet Atkins, Jerry Byrd, and Ray Edenton. ![]() He played his first gig at age 15 and made $13. His father played guitar around the house and Reggie received his first guitar – a National flat-top – for Christmas in 1950. ![]() Young was born in Missouri, grew up in Arkansas, and moved to Memphis at age 13. His tasty style has opened doors for him to play onstage and in the studio with every style of music possible early rockabilly, rhythm and blues, country, rock, pop, and even jazz! Reggie Young is one of the most recorded guitarists in history. Here is an extensive interview he did with VG in 2001. Reggie Young passed away on January 17, 2019. Reggie Young with his 1957 Fender Stratocaster.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |